Method of manufacturing a printed circuit board

ABSTRACT

The printed circuit board according to the invention is highly reliable because a gap width between adjoining first conductive pattern bent parts is formed greater than a gap width in those of wiring parts positioned close to and on both sides of the first conductive pattern bent parts and accordingly, even if any running part arises in the conductive pattern bent parts, short-circuiting is unlikely to occur between wiring patterns, thus making the printed circuit board reliable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a printed circuit board that can be suitably used in electronic devices including video cameras.

2. Description of the Prior art

To describe a printed circuit board according to the prior art and its manufacturing method with reference to FIG. 9 through FIG. 12, an insulating board 21 consisting of a flexible substrate or the like has a rectangular base 22 provided with fixed contacts (not shown) or the like and a drawn part 23 having a substantially L-shaped overall form.

This drawn part 23 is substantially L-shaped to stay away from electrical parts or (not shown) or fitting members (not shown) arranged within the electronic device, and has insulating board angled parts 23 a bent in an L shape or the like, cables 23 b connected to both sides of, and formed in a width equal to, these insulating board angled parts 23 a, and leaders 23 c formed at an end of the cables 23 b.

A plurality of wiring patterns 24 made of silver have conductive pattern bent parts 24 a shaped in an L or the like, linear wiring parts 24 b connected to both ends of, and having a pattern with equal width to, these conductive pattern bent parts 24 a, and linear connecting parts 24 c provided at an end of the wiring parts 24 b.

The plurality of wiring patterns 24 are formed in parallel by screen printing over the drawn part 23 in a state wherein the conductive pattern bent parts 24 a are arranged over the insulating board angled parts 23 a of the drawn part 23 of the insulating board 21, the wiring parts 24 b are arranged over the cables 23 b and the base 22, and further the connecting parts 24 c are arranged over the leaders 23 c.

The wiring parts 24 b formed over the base 22 are connected to fixed contacts (not shown) formed of an electroconductive pattern over the base 22.

The wiring patterns 24 are so designed that the pitch of the patterns in the conductive pattern bent parts 24 a be equal to the pitch of the patterns of the wiring parts 24 b positioned close to and on both sides of the conductive pattern bent parts 24 a, and that the gap width between the conductive pattern bent parts 24 a be equal to the gap width between the wiring parts 24 b positioned close to and on both sides of the conductive pattern bent parts 24 a.

On such a printed circuit board, the connecting parts 24 c provided in leaders 23 c are connected to a connector (not shown), so that a current from outside is entered into the printed circuit board via the connecting parts 24 c or a current from the printed circuit board is supplied outside via the connecting parts 24 c.

By a manufacturing method for such a printed circuit board according to the prior art by screen printing, as shown in FIG. 11, after the insulating board 21 is mounted on a mount 25, a meshed printing mask 26 is mounted over the insulating board 21.

Next, after painting or otherwise applying silver paste 27 over the printing mask 26, a squeegee 28 is moved in the direction of arrow A to form the plurality of wiring patterns 24 over the insulating board 21 by printing.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the squeegee 28 is moved in the direction of arrow A, and first the conductive pattern bent parts 24 a are formed by printing, followed by the formation of the wiring parts 24 b by printing.

The reason why the squeegee 28 is moved in the direction of arrow A is that the formation of the wiring patterns 24 by printing in a state in which their orthogonal intersections with the squeegee 28 are minimized results in minimization of the running or blurring of patterns. In particular, minimization of orthogonal intersections between the wiring parts 24 b having large pattern areas and the moving path of the squeegee 28 serves to reduce the running or blurring of the patterns of the wiring parts 24 b.

However, while the conductive pattern bent parts 24 a are printed earlier in an orthogonally crossing state than the wiring parts 24 b by the movement of the squeegee 28 in the direction of arrow A, the silver paste 27 flows from the peak toward the trough of the ink permeating part of the printing mask 26 for the formation of the conductive pattern bent parts 24 a during the printing of these conductive pattern bent parts 24 a.

If, then, the printing conditions lose balance, slight quantities of the silver paste 27 may get caught between the printing mask 26 and the insulating board 21 in corners of the trough of the ink permeating part, and create running parts 24 d as shown in FIG. 10.

As a result, these running parts 24 d would often short-circuit the wiring patterns 24 among themselves.

Or if in the conventional printed circuit board and its manufacturing method the squeegee 28 is moved in the direction of arrow B first to form the connecting parts 24 c by printing and then the conductive pattern bent parts 24 a are formed by printing after the wiring parts 24 b are printed as shown in FIG. 12, blurred parts 24 e of the silver paste 27 (see FIG. 12) may be caused to occur and possibly invite wire breaking in the conductive pattern bent parts 24 a by stagnant air or the like gathering in the corners at the top of the ink permeating part of the printing mask 26 for forming the conductive pattern bent parts 24 a.

As printed circuit boards are required to be reduced in size along with the advance in the size compression of electronic devices in which they are to be used, the wiring patterns 24 are more narrowly spaced between one another and also reduced in width, running parts 24 d and blurred parts 24 e would give rise to the risks of short-circuiting and wire breaking in the resultant narrower conductive pattern bent parts 24 a.

In the conventional printed circuit board and its manufacturing method, since gaps between the conductive pattern bent parts 24 a of the wiring patterns 24 are designed to be as wide as gaps between the wiring parts 24 b positioned near their two sides and screen printing is carried out in the direction of arrow A, running parts 24 d arise in the trough of the conductive pattern bent parts 24 a, making the wiring patterns 24 susceptible to short-circuiting between each other.

Or if screen printing is carried out in the direction of arrow B, blurred parts 24 e may arise at the top of the conductive pattern bent parts 24 a, giving rise to the risk of inviting wire breaking.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of these problems, the present invention is intended to provide a more reliable printed circuit board less susceptible to short-circuiting or wire breaking in the conductive pattern bent parts of wiring patterns, and its manufacturing method.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the problems noted above are solved with a configuration having an insulating board and a plurality of wiring patterns formed over this insulating board by screen printing and provided with first conductive pattern bent parts and wiring parts linked to these first conductive pattern bent parts, gaps between adjoining first conductive pattern bent parts are formed wider than those between those of the wiring parts positioned close to and on both sides of the first conductive pattern bent parts.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a pitch of patterns in the first conductive pattern bent parts is formed greater than that of the patterns of those of the wiring parts positioned close to and on both sides of the first conductive pattern bent parts.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a pattern width in the first conductive pattern bent parts is greater than that of the patterns of those of the wiring parts positioned close to and on both sides of the first conductive pattern bent parts.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, wiring patterns are screen-printed in such a printing direction that the first conductive pattern bent parts are formed by printing earlier than the wiring parts.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, the insulating board has first insulating board angled parts and cables linked to both sides of these first insulating board angled parts, wherein a width of the first insulating board angled parts is formed greater than that of the cables, the first conductive pattern bent parts are positioned in the first insulating board angled parts, and a plurality of the wiring patterns are provided in a state in which the wiring parts are positioned in the cables.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, the wiring patterns have second conductive pattern bent parts bent in a direction reverse to the first conductive pattern bent parts and wiring parts linked to these second conductive pattern bent parts, wherein a pattern width in these second conductive pattern bent parts is formed greater than that of those of the wiring parts positioned close to and on both sides of the second conductive pattern bent parts.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, the wiring patterns are screen-printed in such a printing direction that the second conductive pattern bent parts are formed by printing after the wiring parts linked to the second conductive pattern bent parts are formed by printing.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, a pitch of the patterns in the second conductive pattern bent parts is formed greater than that of the patterns of those of the wiring parts positioned close to and on both sides of the second conductive pattern bent parts, and gaps between adjoining ones of the second conductive pattern bent parts are formed wider than those between those of the wiring parts positioned close to and on both sides of the second conductive pattern bent parts.

According to a ninth aspect of the invention, the insulating board has second insulating board angled parts bent in a direction reverse to the first insulating board angled parts and cables linked to both sides of these second insulating board angled parts, wherein a width of the second insulating board angled parts is formed greater than that of the cables, and a plurality of wiring patterns are provided in a state in which the second conductive pattern bent parts are positioned in the second insulating board angled parts and the wiring parts are positioned in the cables.

According to a tenth aspect of the invention, the first insulating board angled parts and the second insulating board angled parts bent in a direction reverse to these first insulating board angled parts are formed adjoining each other, linked by the cables.

According to an eleventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a printed circuit board manufacturing method provided with a plurality of wiring patterns having first conductive pattern bent parts and wiring parts linked to these first conductive pattern bent parts, wherein the wiring patterns are screen-printed on an insulating board in such a printing direction that the first conductive pattern bent parts are formed by printing earlier than the wiring parts, and the gaps between adjoining ones of the first conductive pattern bent parts are formed wider than those between those of the wiring parts positioned close to and on both sides of the first conductive pattern bent parts.

According to a twelfth aspect of the invention, the pitch of patterns in the first conductive pattern bent parts is formed greater than that of the patterns of those of the wiring parts positioned close to and on both sides of the first conductive pattern bent parts.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the invention, the wiring patterns have second conductive pattern bent parts bent in a direction reverse to the first conductive pattern bent parts and wiring parts linked to these second conductive pattern bent parts, wherein the wiring patterns are formed by screen-printing the wiring parts on the insulating board in such a printing direction that the wiring parts linked to the second conductive pattern bent parts are formed by printing earlier than the second conductive pattern bent parts so that the pattern width in these second conductive pattern bent parts is formed greater than that of those of the wiring parts positioned close to and on both sides of the second conductive pattern bent parts.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the invention, there is provided a printed circuit board manufacturing method wherein the pitch of patterns in the second conductive pattern bent parts is formed greater than that of the patterns of those of the wiring parts positioned close to and on both sides of the second conductive pattern bent parts.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the invention, there is provided a printed circuit board manufacturing method wherein the first conductive pattern bent parts and the second conductive pattern bent parts adjoining these first conductive pattern bent parts are screen-printed on the insulating board in a state in which they are linked by the wiring parts.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the invention, there is provided a printed circuit board manufacturing method wherein a plurality of sets of the wiring patterns each consisting of the wiring patterns provided with the first and second conductive pattern bent parts and the wiring parts are formed by screen printing over a large insulating base.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the invention, there is provided a printed circuit board manufacturing method wherein the insulating board having a set of the wiring patterns is formed out of the plurality of the wiring patterns by punching out of the large insulating base.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the invention, there is provided a printed circuit board manufacturing method wherein the large insulating base is punched along the first and second conductive pattern bent parts, the first and second conductive pattern bent parts are positioned in first and second insulating board angled parts of the insulating board, and the wiring parts are positioned in a cable linked to the first and second insulating board angled parts of the insulating board.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the invention, there is provided a printed circuit board manufacturing method wherein the first and second insulating board angled parts are formed to have a greater width than that of the cable by punching out of the large insulating base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan of the essential part of a printed circuit board, which is a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an expanded plan of the essential part of the printed circuit board, which is the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a manufacturing method for the printed circuit board according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan of the essential part of a printed circuit board, which is a second preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is an expanded plan of the essential part of the printed circuit board, which is the second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan of the essential part of a printed circuit board, which is a third preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is an expanded plan of the essential part of the printed circuit board, which is the third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 pertains to a printed circuit board manufacturing method according to the invention, and in particular to the manufacture of the printed circuit board, which is the third embodiment of the invention, from a large insulating base.

FIG. 9 is an overall plan of a printed circuit board according to the prior art.

FIG. 10 is an expanded plan of the essential part of the printed circuit board according to the prior art.

FIG. 11 pertains to the printed circuit board according to the prior art, and in particular to its manufacturing method.

FIG. 12 is another expanded plan of the essential part of the printed circuit board according to the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

To explain the drawings illustrating the printed circuit board and its manufacturing method according to the present invention, FIG. 1 is a plan of the essential part of a printed circuit board, which is a first preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is an expanded plan of the essential part of the printed circuit board, which is the first embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 3 illustrates a manufacturing method for the printed circuit board according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan of the essential part of a printed circuit board, which is a second preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 5, an expanded plan of the essential part of the printed circuit board, which is the second embodiment of the invention; FIG. 6, a plan of the essential part of a printed circuit board, which is a third preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 7, an expanded plan of the essential part of the printed circuit board, which is the third embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 8 pertains to a printed circuit board manufacturing method according to the invention, and in particular to the manufacture of the printed circuit board, which is the third embodiment of the invention, from a large insulating base.

To describe the printed circuit board and its manufacturing method according to the invention with reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 3, an insulating board 1 consisting of a flexible film or the like has a rectangular base 2 provided with fixed contacts (not shown) and the like, and a drawn part 3 having an L-shaped overall form.

This drawn part 3 is L-shaped to stay away from electrical parts (not shown) or fitting members (not shown) arranged within the electronic device, and has insulating board angled parts 3 a bent in an L shape or the like, cables 3 b connected to both sides of, and formed in a width narrower than, these insulating board angled parts 3 a, and leaders 3 c formed at an end of the cables 3 b.

A plurality of wiring patterns 4 consisting of silver have L-shaped conductive pattern bent parts 4 a, linear wiring parts 4 b connected to both ends of these conductive pattern bent parts 4 a and equal in pattern width to the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a, and linear connecting parts 4 c provided at an end of the wiring parts 4 b.

The pitch (the center-to-center distance between adjoining patterns) P1 of patterns in the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a is formed to be greater than the pitch P2 of patterns of those of the wiring parts 4 b positioned close to and on both sides of the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a, and the gap width (the distance between side edges or adjoining patterns) G1 between the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a to be greater than the gap width G2 between the wiring parts 4 b.

The plurality of wiring patterns 4 are disposed in parallel in a state in which the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a are arranged in the wide insulating board angled parts 3 a of the drawn part 3 of the insulating board 1, the wiring parts 4 b are arranged in the cables 3 b and the base 2, and the connecting parts 4 c are arranged in the leader 3 c, and formed by screen printing of the same step on the drawn part 3.

The wiring parts 4 b formed over the base 2 are connected to fixed contacts (not shown) formed of electroconductive patterns over the base 2.

This printed circuit board, with its connecting parts 4 c provided in the leader 3 c being connected to a connector (not shown), allows a current from outside to be entered into it via the connecting parts 4 c or a current from it to be supplied outside via the connecting parts 4 c.

In the manufacturing method for this printed circuit board by screen printing according to the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 3, after the insulating board 1 is mounted on the mount 5, a meshed printing mask 6 is mounted over the insulating board 1.

Then, after painting or otherwise applying silver paste 7 over the printing mask 6, a squeegee 8 is moved in the direction of arrow A to form the plurality of wiring patterns 4 over the insulating board 1 by printing.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the squeegee 8 is moved in the direction of arrow A, and first the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a are formed by printing, followed by the formation of the wiring parts 4 b by printing.

The reason why the squeegee 8 is moved in the direction of arrow A is that formation of the wiring patterns 4 by printing by minimizing their orthogonal intersections with the squeegee 8 results in minimization of the running or blurring of patterns. In particular, minimization of orthogonal intersections between the wiring parts 4 b having large pattern areas and the moving path of the squeegee 8 serves to reduce the running or blurring of patterns of the wiring parts 4 b.

However, while the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a are printed earlier in an orthogonally crossing state than the wiring parts 4 b by the movement of the squeegee 8 in the direction of arrow A, the silver paste 7 flows from the peak toward the trough of the ink permeating part of the printing mask 6 for the formation of the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a during the printing of these conductive pattern bent parts 4 a.

Then, depending on the printing conditions including the viscosity of the silver paste 7 and the printing speed, slight quantities of the silver paste 7 may get caught between the printing mask 6 and the insulating board 1 in corners of the trough of the ink permeating part, and create running parts 4 d as shown in FIG. 2.

As printed circuit boards are required to be reduced in size along with the advance in the size compression of electronic devices in which they are to be used, the wiring patterns 4 are more narrowly spaced between one another and also reduced in width.

However, as the gap width G1 between the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a is formed greater than the gap width G2 of those of the wiring parts 4 b positioned on both sides and close to the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a, it will be difficult for any running part 4 d that may arise to invite short-circuiting between the wiring patterns 4.

Also, as the pattern pitch P1 in the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a is greater than the pattern pitch P2 in the wiring parts 4 b positioned on both sides and close to the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a, the pattern width in the conductive pattern bent part 4 a can be equalized to the pattern width of those of the wiring parts 4 b positioned on both sides and close to the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a.

Therefore, even if the gap width G1 between the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a is increased, there is no need to narrow the pattern width of the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a, resulting in effective prevention of such troubles as increased resistance to continuity or wire breaking even if the pattern width is reduced.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 illustrate a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this second embodiment, the drawn part 3 is arranged by having the cables 3 b form second insulating board angled parts 3 d which are bent in a direction reverse to the insulating board angled parts 3 a of the first embodiment and wider than the cables 3 b.

The wiring patterns 4 are bent further in an L shape from those in the first embodiment, and are provided with conductive pattern bent parts (second conductive pattern bent parts) 4 e having a wider pattern width W1, the linear wiring parts 4 b which are linked to both sides of these conductive pattern bent parts 4 e and have a narrower pattern width W2 than the pattern width W1 of the conductive pattern bent parts 4 e, and the linear connecting parts 4 c provided at an end of the wiring parts 4 b.

Thus the pattern width W1 in the conductive pattern bent parts 4 e is formed greater than the pattern width W2 of those of the wiring parts 4 b positioned on both sides and close to the conductive pattern bent parts 4 e.

The pattern pitch P1 in the conductive pattern bent parts 4 e is formed greater than the pattern pitch P2 of those of the wiring parts 4 b positioned on both sides and close to the conductive pattern bent parts 4 e, and the gap width between the conductive pattern bent parts 4 e is set equal to the gap width between those of the wiring parts 4 b positioned on both sides and close to the conductive pattern bent parts 4 e.

The plurality of wiring patterns 4 are disposed in parallel in a state in which the conductive pattern bent parts 4 e are arranged in the insulating board angled parts 3 d of the drawn part 3 of the insulating board 1, the wiring parts 4 b are arranged in the cables 3 b and the connecting parts 4 c are arranged in the leader 3 c, and formed by screen printing of the same step on the drawn part 3.

The conductive pattern bent parts 4 e are adjacently connected via the wiring parts 4 b to the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a formed in the insulating board angled parts 3 a, and other aspects of the configuration are the same as their respective counterparts in the first embodiment. Therefore, the same constituent parts are assigned respectively the same reference numbers, and their description is dispensed with.

The manufacturing method for this printed circuit board, which is the second embodiment of the invention, by screen printing is accomplished using an apparatus shown in FIG. 3. Thus the plurality of wiring patterns 4 are formed by printing over the insulating board 1 by moving the squeegee 8 in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.

Then, first the connecting parts 4 c are formed by printing, and next the wiring parts 4 b are printed, followed by the formation of the conductive pattern bent parts 4 e by printing.

At the time of this printing, printing of the conductive pattern bent parts 4 e which constitute part of the wiring patterns 4 is more susceptible to the occurrence of blurred parts 4 f of the silver paste 7 (see FIG. 5) or the like in the conductive pattern bent parts 4 e resulting from stagnant air or the like gathering in the corners at the top of the ink permeating part of the printing mask 6 for forming the conductive pattern bent parts 4 e as the squeegee 8 begins to move in a direction substantially at a right angle to the direction of the patterns after the wiring parts 4 b on both sides are printed.

As printed circuit boards are required to be reduced in size along with the advance in the size compression of electronic devices in which they are to be used, the wiring patterns 4 are more narrowly spaced between one another and also reduced in width.

However, as the conductive pattern bent parts 4 e where the blurred parts 4 f or the like are apt to occur have a greater pattern width, even if any blurred parts 4 f occurs in the conductive pattern bent parts 4 e, there is more of the residual pattern in the conductive pattern bent parts 4 e, and accordingly no wire breaking will arise, resulting in enhanced reliability.

In the second embodiment of the invention show in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, while the movement of the squeegee 8 causes the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a and the wiring parts 4 b to be formed by printing over the insulating board angled parts 3 a and the cables 3 b positioned on the side of these insulating board angled parts 3 a at the same time as on the side of the insulating board angled parts 3 d, their configuration and their manufacturing method are similar to those of the first embodiment, and accordingly their description is dispensed with.

Although the foregoing description of the second embodiment referred to an example in which the second insulating board angled parts 3 d are formed adjacent to and continuous from the first insulating board angled parts 3 a, the drawn part 3 having the second insulating board angled parts 3 d may as well be provided on an edge different from the edge of the base 2 on which the drawn part 3 having the first insulating board angled parts 3 a is provided.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 illustrate a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this third embodiment, as in the second embodiment just described, the drawn part 3 is arranged by having the cables 3 b form the second insulating board angled parts 3 d which are bent in a direction reverse to the first insulating board angled parts 3 a and wider than the cables 3 b.

The width of the first and second insulating board angled parts 3 a and 3 d is formed greater than that of the cables 3 b.

In the insulating board angled parts 3 a, the first conductive pattern bent parts 4 a are formed and in the cables 3 b, the wiring parts 4 b are formed. Further, the pattern pitch P3 in the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a is greater than the pattern pitch P4 of those of the wiring parts 4 b positioned on both sides and close to the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a, and the gap width G3 between the adjacent conductive pattern bent parts 4 a is formed greater than the gap width G4 between those of the wiring parts 4 b positioned on both sides and close to the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a.

Furthermore, the pattern width W3 in the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a is formed greater than the pattern width W4 between those of the wiring parts 4 b positioned on both sides and close to the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a.

In the insulating board angled parts 3 d adjacently linked to the insulating board angled parts 3 a via the cables 3 b, the second conductive pattern bent parts 4 e are formed, and in the cables 3 b positioned on both sides of the insulating board angled parts 3 d, the wiring parts 4 b are formed. Further, the pattern pitch P5 in the conductive pattern bent parts 4 e is greater than the pattern pitch P6 of those of the wiring parts 4 b positioned on both sides and close to the conductive pattern bent parts 4 e, and the gap width G5 between the adjacent conductive pattern bent parts 4 e is formed greater than the gap width G6 between those of the wiring parts 4 b positioned on both sides and close to the conductive pattern bent parts 4 e.

Furthermore, the pattern width W5 in the conductive pattern bent parts 4 e is formed greater than the pattern width W6 of those of the wiring parts 4 b positioned on both sides and close to the conductive pattern bent parts 4 e.

In a state in which neither running nor blurring can arise, the pitches P3 and P5 are formed to be equal, and so are the pitches P4 and P6 and the gap widths G3 and G5 and the gap widths G4 and G6.

The pattern widths W3 and W5 are also formed to be equal, and so are the pattern widths W4 and W6.

Other aspects of the configuration are the same as their respective counterparts in the second embodiment. Therefore, the same constituent parts are assigned respectively the same reference numbers, and their description is dispensed with.

The manufacturing method for this printed circuit board, which is the third embodiment of the invention, by screen printing is accomplished using an apparatus shown in FIG. 3. Thus the plurality of wiring patterns 4 are formed by printing over the insulating board 1 by moving the squeegee 8 in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

Then, first the connecting parts 4 c are formed by printing, and then the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a are printed, followed by the printing of those of the wiring parts 4 b near the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a, while on the side of the conductive pattern bent parts 4 e, the conductive pattern bent parts 4 e are printed after those of the wiring parts 4 b near the conductive pattern bent parts 4 e are printed.

Printing in this manner uses on the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a side a greater pattern pitch P3 than the pattern pitch P4 of those of the wiring parts 4 b positioned on both sides and close to the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a, and the gap width G3 between the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a is greater than the gap width G4 of those of the wiring parts 4 b positioned on both sides and close to the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a. Accordingly, even if any running part 4 d arises, it is difficult for short-circuiting between the wiring patterns 4 to arise.

Furthermore, as a result of printing in this manner, on the conductive pattern bent parts 4 e side where the pattern width W5 of the conductive pattern bent parts 4 e is formed greater than the pattern width W6 of those of the wiring parts 4 b positioned on both sides and close to the conductive pattern bent parts 4 e, even if any blurred part 4 f or the like occurs in the conductive pattern bent parts 4 e, there is more of the residual pattern in the conductive pattern bent parts 4 e than according to the prior art, and accordingly no wire breaking will arise, resulting in enhanced reliability.

In the third embodiment of the invention described above, it is possible to form the wiring patterns 4 by moving the squeegee 8 in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

Thus, as the squeegee 8 is moved in the direction of arrow B to carry out screen printing, first the conductive pattern bent parts 4 e are formed by printing, followed by the printing of the wiring parts 4 b close to the conductive pattern bent parts 4 e, and then the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a are printed after the wiring parts 4 b close to the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a are printed.

Printing in this manner uses on the conductive pattern bent parts 43 side a greater pattern pitch P5 than the pattern pitch P6 of those of the wiring parts 4 b positioned on both sides and close to the conductive pattern bent parts 43, and the gap width G5 between the conductive pattern bent parts 4 e is greater than the gap width G6 of those of the wiring parts 4 b positioned on both sides and close to the conductive pattern bent parts 43. Accordingly, even if any running part 4 d arises, it is difficult for short-circuiting between the wiring patterns 4 to arise.

Printing in this manner uses on the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a a greater pattern width W3 than the pattern width W4 of those of the wiring parts 4 b positioned on both sides and close to the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a, and even if any blurring part 4 f or the like arises, there is more of the residual pattern in the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a than according to the prior art. Accordingly no wire breaking will arise, resulting in enhanced reliability.

Thus this third embodiment of the invention is more flexible because it is adaptable to printing in both directions, that of arrow A and that of arrow B.

To add, while the third embodiment of the invention described has the second insulating board angled parts 3 d formed adjacent to and continuous from the first insulating board angled parts 3 a, the drawn part 3 having the second insulating board angled parts 3 d may as well be provided on an edge different from the edge of the base 2 on which the drawn part 3 having the first insulating board angled parts 3 a is provided.

FIG. 8 shows an alternative version of the manufacturing method for the printed circuit board, which is the third embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. In this version, the squeegee 8 is moved in the direction of either arrow A or arrow B over a large insulating base 11, and a plurality of wiring patterns 4 shown in FIG. 6 are formed by printing in the areas indicated by two-dot chain lines, followed by the punching of the base 2 and the drawn part 3 along the first and second conductive pattern bent parts 4 a and 4 e and the wiring parts 4 b in the positions indicated by two-dot chain lines to form an insulating board 1 for each set.

Incidentally, while the foregoing description of this embodiment of the invention referred to has a configuration in which the second insulating board angled parts 3 d are formed adjacent to and continuous from the first insulating board angled parts 3 a, the drawn part 3 having the second insulating board angled parts 3 d may as well be provided on an edge different from the edge of the base 2 on which the drawn part 3 like the one shown in FIG. 1 or the drawn part 3 having the first insulating board angled parts 3 a is provided.

However, in a configuration in which individual insulating boards 1 are arranged alternately as shown in FIG. 8 and which has the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a and 4 e bent in the reverse direction to each other, both the gap width and the pattern width in the conductive pattern bent parts should be wider than those in the wiring parts.

To add, in the printed circuit board embodying the invention as described above, the wiring patterns except connecting parts to outside including the connecting parts 4 c and fixed contacts (not shown) may be covered with an insulating resist layer.

The wiring patterns according to the invention may consist of silver or a mixture of silver and carbon, the latter's content being small enough not to affect the electroconductivity of silver.

The insulating board according to the invention, though a configuration comprising the base 2 and the belt-shaped drawn part 3 was referred to in the foregoing description, may have a square or rectangular overall shape or consist of only a belt-shaped drawn part.

Further, the cables 3 b may have a non-linear shape, curvilinear or otherwise.

As in the printed circuit board according to the present invention the gap width G1 between adjoining first conductive pattern bent parts 4 a is greater than the gap width G2 between those of the wiring parts 4 b positioned on both sides and close to the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a, even if any running part 4 d arises in the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a it is difficult for short-circuiting to occur between wiring patterns 4, resulting in enhanced reliability.

Further, as the pattern pitch P1 in the first conductive pattern bent parts 4 a is set greater than the pattern pitch P2 of those of the wiring parts 4 b positioned on both sides and close to the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a, there is no need to narrow the pattern width in the first conductive pattern bent parts 4 a, and accordingly in the absence of any running part 4 d, too, an appropriate pattern width can be secured.

Also the invention can be suitably applied to narrowed spacing between wiring patterns 4 along with reductions in the size accompanying the advance in the dimensional compression of electronic devices in which they are to be used.

Moreover, as the pattern width W3 in the first conductive pattern bent parts 4 a is greater than the pattern width W4 of those of the wiring parts 4 b positioned on both sides and close to the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a, greater freedom can be allowed in the choice of printing direction.

Also, as the wiring patterns 4 are screen-printed in such a printing direction that the first conductive pattern bent parts 4 a be formed by printing earlier than the wiring parts 4 b, the wiring parts 4 b can be patterned following the patterning of the conductive pattern bent parts 4 a, resulting in the elimination of the risk of adjacent wiring patterns 4 coming into contact with each other.

Moreover, the insulating board 1 has the first insulating board angled parts 3 a and the cables 3 b linked to both ends of these first insulating board angled parts 3 a, the width of the first insulating board angled parts 3 a is formed greater than that of the cables 3 b, and the plurality of wiring patterns 4 are formed in a state in which the first conductive pattern bent parts 4 a are positioned in the first insulating board angled parts 3 a and the wiring parts 4 b are positioned in the cables 3 b, with the result that the insulating board 1 is large only in some part of the first insulating board angled parts 3 a, which means no obstacle to size compression.

The wiring patterns 4 have the second conductive pattern bent parts 4 e bent in a direction reverse to the first conductive pattern bent parts 4 a and the wiring parts 4 b linked to these second conductive pattern bent parts 4 e, and the pattern width W1 (W5) in these second conductive pattern bent parts 4 e is greater than the pattern width W2 (W6) of those of the wiring parts 4 b positioned on both sides and close to the second conductive pattern bent parts 4 e, with the result that, even if any blurred part 4 f or the like arises in the conductive pattern bent parts 4 e in the process of formation by printing, there is more of the residual pattern than according to the prior art, and therefore no wire breaking will arise, resulting in enhanced reliability.

Also, as the wiring patterns 4 are screen-printed in such a printing direction that the second conductive pattern bent parts 4 e are formed by printing after the wiring parts 4 b linked to the second conductive pattern bent parts 4 e are formed by printing, the pattern of the conductive pattern bent parts 4 e is formed following the pattern formation of the wiring parts 4 b, with the result that the silver paste 7 can smoothly permeate the wiring parts 4 b and, even if any blurred part 4 f or the like arises in the conductive pattern bent parts 4 e, the widened pattern serves to reduce wire breaking.

Further, as the pattern pitch P5 in the second conductive pattern bent parts 4 e is greater than the pattern pitch P6 of those of the wiring parts 4 b positioned on both sides and close to the second conductive pattern bent parts 4 e, and the gap width G5 in the second conductive pattern bent parts 4 e is formed greater than the gap width G6 of those of the wiring parts 4 b positioned on both sides and close to the second conductive pattern bent parts 4 e, greater freedom can be allowed in the choice of printing direction, resulting in enhanced productivity.

The insulating board 1 has the second insulating board angled parts 3 d bent in a direction reverse to the first insulating board angled parts 3 a and the cables 3 b linked to both sides of these second insulating board angled parts 3 d, the width of the second insulating board angled parts 3 d is formed greater than that of the cables 3 b, and the plurality of wiring patterns 4 are arranged in a state in which the second conductive pattern bent parts 4 e are positioned in the second insulating board angled parts 3 d and the wiring parts 4 b are positioned in the cables 3 b, with the result that the insulating board 1 is large only in some part of the first insulating board angled parts 3 a, which means no obstacle to size compression.

Also, as the first insulating board angled parts 3 a and the second insulating board angled parts 3 d bent in a direction reverse to these first insulating board angled parts 3 a are formed adjacently linked by the cables 3 b, the freedom of the drawn part 3 can be enhanced, making it possible to provide printed circuit boards adaptable to many different forms.

It is further made possible to provide a highly reliable manufacturing method which can effectively prevent short-circuiting between the wiring patterns 4 because the plurality of wiring patterns 4, having the first conductive pattern bent parts 4 a and the wiring parts 4 b linked to these first conductive pattern bent parts 4 a, are provided, and the wiring patterns 4 are screen-printed over the insulating board 1 in such a printing direction that the first conductive pattern bent parts 4 a are formed by printing earlier than the wiring parts 4 b, and the gap width G1 between the adjoining first conductive pattern bent parts 4 a is greater than the gap width G2 between those of the wiring parts 4 b positioned on both sides and close to the first conductive pattern bent parts 4 a.

It is also possible to provide a manufacturing method capable of securing an appropriate pattern width in the absence of any running part 4 d, too, because the pattern pitch P1 in the first conductive pattern bent parts 4 a is formed greater than the pattern pitch P2 of those of the wiring parts 4 b positioned on both sides and close to the second conductive pattern bent parts 4 a, thereby eliminating the need to narrow the pattern width in the first conductive pattern bent parts 4 a.

It is further possible to provide a manufacturing method excelling in the performance of formation by printing even where there are different conductive pattern bent parts because the wiring patterns 4 have the second conductive pattern bent parts 4 e bent in a direction reverse to the first conductive pattern bent parts 4 a, the wiring patterns 4 are formed by screen printing over the insulating board 1 in such a printing direction that the wiring parts 4 b linked to the second conductive pattern bent parts 4 e are formed by printing earlier than the second conductive pattern bent parts 4 e so that the pattern width W1 (W5) in these second conductive pattern bent parts 4 e is formed greater than the pattern width W2 (W6) of those of the wiring parts 4 b positioned on both sides and close to the second conductive pattern bent parts 4 e.

It is also possible to provide a manufacturing method capable of ensuring insulation from adjoining wiring patterns 4 by securing an appropriate pattern width in the absence of any blurred part 4 f, too, because the pattern pitch P5 of the second conductive pattern bent parts 4 e is formed greater than the pattern pitch P6 of those of the wiring parts 4 b positioned on both sides and close to the second conductive pattern bent parts 4 e, thereby eliminating the need to narrow the gap width in the second conductive pattern bent parts 4 e.

It is further possible to provide a manufacturing method which can enhance the freedom of the choice of the drawing pattern and facilitate the manufacture of wiring patterns adaptable to many different forms because the wiring patterns are screen-printed over the insulating board 1 in a state in which the first conductive pattern bent parts 4 a and the second conductive pattern bent parts 4 e adjoining these first conductive pattern bent parts 4 a are linked by the wiring parts 4 b.

It is also possible to provide a manufacturing method capable of producing many sets of wiring patterns 4 at a time, resulting in enhanced productivity, because a plurality of sets of the wiring patterns each consisting of the wiring patterns 4 provided with the first and second conductive pattern bent parts 4 a and 4 e and the wiring parts 4 b are formed by screen printing over the large insulating board 11.

It is further possible to provide a manufacturing method capable of producing many insulating boards 1 at a time, resulting in enhanced productivity, because the large insulating base 11 is punched to form the insulating boards 1 each having a set of wiring patterns 4 formed from a plurality of sets of wiring patterns.

It is also possible to provide a manufacturing method capable of readily producing the drawn part 3 of a complex shape because the large insulating base 11 is punched along the first and second conductive pattern bent parts 4 a and 4 e, and pattern formation is carried out in a state in which the first and second conductive pattern bent parts 4 a and 4 e are positioned in the first and second insulating board angled parts 3 a and 3 d of the insulating board 1 and the wiring parts 4 b are positioned in the cables 3 b linked to the first and second insulating board angled parts 3 a and 3 d of the insulating board 1.

It is further possible to provide a manufacturing method involving no obstacle to size compression and allowing efficient material utilization because the first and second insulating board angled parts 3 a and 3 d are formed by punching out of the large insulating base 11 to be wider than the cables 3 b and accordingly the insulating board 1 is large only in the first and second insulating board angled parts 3 a and 3 d. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of manufacturing a printed circuit board, the method comprising the step of: providing the printed circuit board which includes wiring patterns having first conductive pattern bent parts and wiring parts linked to the first conductive pattern bent parts, with gaps between adjoining ones of the first conductive pattern bent parts being fanned wider than gaps between the wiring parts positioned close to and on both sides of the first conductive pattern bent parts, wherein the wiring patterns are screen-printed on an insulating board, serving as a base of the pointed circuit board, in such a printing direction that first conductive pattern bent parts are printed earlier than the wiring parts.
 2. The printed circuit board manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the pitch of patterns in the first conductive pattern bent parts is formed greater than that of the patterns of those of the wiring parts positioned close to and on both sides of the first conductive pattern bent parts.
 3. A method of manufacturing a printed circuit board, the method comprising the step of: providing the printed circuit board which includes wiring patterns having first conductive pattern bent parts, first wiring parts linked to the first conductive pattern bent parts, second conductive pattern bent parts bent in a direction reverse to the first conductive pattern bent parts, and second wiring parts linked to the second conductive pattern bent parts, with gaps between adjoining ones of the first conductive pattern bent parts being formed wider than gaps between the first wiring parts positioned close to and on both sides of the first conductive pattern bent parts, and pattern width of the second conductive pattern bent parts being formed greater than pattern width of the second wiring parts positioned close to and on both sides of the second conductive pattern bent parts, wherein the first conductive pattern bent parts are printed earlier than the first wiring parts, and the wiring patterns are screen-printed on an insulating board, serving as a base of the printed circuit board, in such a printing direction that the second wiring parts linked to the second conductive pattern bent parts are printed earlier than the second conductive pattern bent parts.
 4. The printed circuit board manufacturing method according to claim 3, wherein the pitch of patterns in the second conductive pattern bent parts is formed greater than that of the patterns of those of the wiring parts positioned close to and on both sides of the second conductive pattern bent parts.
 5. The printed circuit board manufacturing method according to claim 3, wherein the first conductive pattern bent parts and the second conductive pattern bent parts adjoining the first conductive pattern bent parts are screen-printed on the insulating board in a state in which they are linked by the wiring parts.
 6. The printed circuit board manufacturing method according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of sets of the wiring patterns each consisting of the wiring patterns provided with the first and second conductive pattern bent parts and the wiring parts are formed by screen printing over a large insulating base.
 7. The printed circuit board manufacturing method according to claim 6, wherein the insulating board having a set of the wiring patterns is formed out of the plurality of the wiring patterns by punching out of the large insulating base.
 8. The printed circuit board manufacturing method according to claim 7, wherein the large insulating base is punched along the first and second conductive pattern bent parts, wherein the first and second conductive pattern bent parts are positioned in first and second insulating board angled parts of the insulating board, and wherein the wiring parts are positioned in a cable linked to the first and second insulating board angled parts of the insulating board.
 9. The printed circuit board manufacturing method according to claim 8, wherein the first and second insulating board angled parts are formed to have a greater width than the cable by punching out of the large insulating base. 